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R. Kelly

'Saved' By The Bell

Last year, R. Kelly told Billboard he had recorded five albums of material. The multi-threat R&B star dips into that motherlode with the double-CD, "Happy People/U Saved Me," due this week via Jive. The single "Happy People" peaked at No. 7 on Billboard's Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks chart earlier this summer; a new track, "If," is at U.S. radio outlets now.

"Happy People/U Saved Me" is the follow-up to 2003's "Chocolate Factory," which reached No. 1 on The Billboard 200 and Billboard's Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart. It has sold 2.6 million copies in the United States, according to Nielsen SoundScan.

The artist recently conquered Billboard's R&B/Hip-Hop Awards by taking home seven trophies, including top R&B/hip-hop songwriter and producer.

It was announced last week that Kelly and Jay-Z will team for a North American tour this fall, kicking off Sept. 30 in Chicago. The Best of Both Worlds trek is expected to play 40 cities before wrapping Nov. 28 in Phoenix.